The UK government has been slammed by opposition and local leaders in the north after announcing that parts of HS2 construction will be delayed by two years.
The Department for Transport (DFT) revealed yesterday that due to the rail project, once again, coming up against “soaring costs”, the construction of a number of HS2 sections are to be pushed back by another two years.
The delay will affect the north west section of HS2, from Birmingham to Crewe, and then from Crewe to us here in Manchester.
“We have seen significant inflationary pressure and increased project costs,” Transport Secretary Mark Harper said yesterday, “and so we will rephase construction by two years, with an aim to deliver high-speed services to Crewe and the North West as soon as possible after accounting for the delay in construction.”
HS2, which has the full name High Speed 2, was originally intended to connect London with Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds.
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The leg to Leeds has since been scrapped in November 2021, but work on the first phase of the project between London and Birmingham is now well under way, with a part of the line due to open by 2033, despite the fact the project has faced delays and mounting concerns over the exact route, and its potential environmental impact.
While a budget of £55.7 billion for the whole of HS2 was set in 2015, this was made before the Leeds leg was cancelled, and the estimated cost of HS2 was therefore set between £72 billion and £98 billion at 2019 prices.
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A report published last October found it was unlikely that the £40.3 billion target for the first section of the line would be met.
A senior figure at the DfT warned back in January that ”tough decisions” would lie ahead for the scheme.
And now, the government has confirmed it will be “prioritising HS2’s initial services” between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham Curzon Street in order to save money – which means the completion window for the first part of the scheme has now shifted from 2032 to 2036, while services will not extend to Manchester until the 2040s.
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Local leaders have previously said that the wrong HS2 solution for Greater Manchester could “damage” and have a wider impact on the north, an now the announcement of the two-year delays has seen the government be hit with even more backlash from opposition parties, and local authority figures across the North West.
Labour said the latest delay meant the North having to “pay the price” for government failures.
“Tens of thousands of jobs, and billions in economic growth are dependent on this project,” Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, stated.
“The North is yet again being asked to pay the price for staggering Conservative failure. Conservative chaos and chronic indecision is holding back jobs, growth and costing the taxpayer. This is the biggest project in Europe and delays pile costs up in the long run.
“Ministers now need to come clean on precisely how much their indecision will cost taxpayers and the North.”
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Also responding to the “disappointing” delays annoucement, Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, said: “I was reassured by the Transport Secretary that we are still getting HS2 to Manchester, however, it needs to be understood whether or not these cost savings can be realised while still achieving the same desired outcome and conditional outputs.
“The government needs to avoid being penny wise and pound foolish, as delays don’t necessarily lead to savings, and in fact can drive costs upwards.”
He added that HS2 must be delivered in full in order to “transform the North”, adding that the rail project, together with the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project, can “unlock the North’s economy from the existing position of poor infrastructure that has held it back.”
“It is the communities and businesses across the North of England who are suffering most by any delay or inaction in delivering the scheme,” he concluded.
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Beloved pub and restaurant Mary and Archie announce gutting closure of Didsbury site
Danny Jones
One of Greater Manchester’s most beloved little gastropubs, Mary and Archie, have sadly announced that their Didsbury venue is now “closed for good”.
The popular cafe, bar and restaurant has been open since 2011, though this isn’t the first time they’ve had to shut their doors, suffering closure back in 2018 and then again during lockdown.
Located on the busy Burton Road in West Didsbury, they ultimately reopened for takeaway as the UK began leaving the pandemic and eventually found their feet once again, but it now seems they have unfortunately run out of steam due to growing business rates, energy bills and the cost of living crisis.
Sharing a moving statement on social media over the weekend, Mary and Archie confirmed that the last service has already been carried out, thanking customers for their years of loyal support.
The lengthy message reads: “We write this with a heavy dose of mixed emotions – massive sadness but also huge amounts of gratitude. Mary & Archie Burton Rd is now closed for good. Many regulars will know that we made the decision to put the place on the market some time ago.
“It wasn’t what we wanted, but we just couldn’t carry on anymore. The last 2 years have been impossibly tough for this industry. We hung on as long as we could hoping things would get better and they didn’t, so here we are.
“But, we don’t want this message to be all doom and gloom. We have loved being a part of Burton Road – watching it evolve over the last 13 years, whilst also being a part of that evolution has been a privilege and we have no regrets.
“We have met some of the most wonderful people along the way – many of whom remain firm friends. We have seen romances blossom at 200 Burton Rd and been many a table name or speech-mention at regulars’ weddings. We will take those special memories and cherish them.”
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves: Mary and Archie wasn’t just somewhere to grab a drink and a bite to eat, it was a valuable child and dog-friendly community cornerstone that locals will sorely miss – we’ll certainly mourn the pub quiz.
However, fear not, they went on to reassure fans that “this isn’t the end for us”, urging people to visit their larger second site over in Chorlton and give their sister page a follow.
“You’ll see familiar faces and dishes over there and we will be taking the monthly jazz night over with us too”, they continued, signing off by adding: “I’ll quit rambling now, but lastly and as always, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who came in over the past 13 years. BIG LOVE EVERYONE.”
The support online has been truly touching too, with fellow cafe Mercado writing, “We’re sorry that you’re gone. You’ve been a part of this neighbourhood for so long. Times are tough and we hope you continue to rock in Chorlton. Much love neighbour” and many labelling it their favourite place in the area.
But one comment underneath that really moved us was this one: “The first cafe I visited when I moved here. My thoughts were ‘Yep, this feels like home’. Good music and general vibes.” Please do go and give Mary and Archie’s Chorlton some much-needed patronage if you can – they deserve it.
Police urgently appeal after three-car crash in Bolton leaves girl, 6, with ‘life threatening’ injuries
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal has been issued following a serious collision involving several vehicles in Bolton over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at 10:30pm this past Saturday night (9 November), officers were called to reports of a serious collision between three cars on the busy thoroughfare of Chorley Old Road in Bolton.
According to police, it’s believed that one of the cars involved in the incident was travelling in an easterly direction along Chorley Old Road, with the second car exiting Avenue Street onto Chorley Old Road.
The first car then crossed onto the opposing side of the carriageway, and proceeded to collide with the third car involved.
#APPEAL | Police appeal for information following a serious collision on Chorley Old Rd at 10:30pm last night.
Sadly, 3 people were taken to hospital for further treatment. The injuries of a six-year-old girl are believed to be life threatening.
Sadly, three people from the third car were taken to hospital for further treatment, GMP confirmed, and a six-year-old girl sustained injuries that, at this time, are believed to be “life threatening”.
Following the incident, police are now urgently appealing to the public.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are in the process of following several lines of enquiry, but in the meantime are appealing for witnesses, and anyone who may have information regarding the incident, to come forward and assist.
“This includes anyone with relevant dashcam, CCTV, mobile, or doorbell footage from the area and captures any of the incident,” GMO said in its public appeal.